Neural pathways are engrained behaviors and habits that become an essential part of the way we act and respond to day-to-day life. For survivors of child sexual abuse, the neural pathways that form can sometimes be frustrating. Triggers are an example of a disruptive, frustrating neural pathway. With a trigger, the limbic system learned to associate something (a smell, for example) with a traumatic event from the past. This is a very natural response, because our brain and body work together to ensure our survival.

But, when there isn’t any real danger to respond to, the feeling of being triggered is very unwelcome and could, for example, cause a survivor to leave an event or activity where no threat is present and spend the rest of the day struggling with feelings of isolation and shame.

However, new neural pathways can be developed and old ones can weaken, thanks to the brain’s amazing ability to adapt and grow. Using something like grounding techniques until they become a habit is one way to form new neural pathways.

At Saprea, we liberate individuals and society from child sexual abuse and its lasting impacts. We have services that help child sexual abuse survivors find healing from the traumatic effects that have often followed them into adulthood, as well as resources for parents and caregivers to learn how to lower the risk of child sexual abuse in their own homes and communities.

Learn more at our website: https://saprea.org

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